The Chief Justice said that no such summary was needed and a notification regarding PCO Judges should be issued today. PHOTO: ONLINE/FILE

KARACHI:

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Monday directed the Inspector General of Sindh Police, Wajid Ali Durrani, to set up a task force that will be free from political interventions.

The chief justice made this statement during the hearing of the Karachi violence case that took place at the Karachi registry of the Supreme Court.

Justice Chaudhry assured Durrani that the Supreme Court would provide the police “full support to conduct operations”. Justice Amir Hani Muslim added that Durrani should include honest police officers who may have been removed earlier due to political influence

“It is time for you to deliver,” the chief justice said to Durrani. He also told Durrani that time was running out and that the security situation in the city was serious.

Durrani told the chief justice that he had assigned a task force to arrest those named in the Joint Investigation Team’s (JIT) report.

Lyari torture cells

Justice Chaudhry asked Durrani to submit tomorrow (Tuesday) DVDs of torture cells unearthed during the Lyari operation conducted last week. He also demanded the submission of the YouTube video of alleged torture and drilling of human flesh, and directed Durrani to investigate where the video was made.

To this, Durrani said that he was not given details of the Lyari operations or arrests of the suspects rounded up by the Rangers.

Justice Chaudhry said that if Durrani did not deliver, then the blame for failing to control the violence will fall on him because he is commanding the Sindh Rangers and Police.

Target killers on media

Durrani assured the chief justice that target killers will not be presented to the media, and that they will be presented in court during trial.

The chief justice termed the practice of allowing the suspects to speak to the press as incorrect. He lamented that when the target killers are presented in court, the police fails to provide enough evidence to convict them, after which the accused are let go.

‘Indian involvement in Karachi violence cannot be ruled out’

During the Supreme Court’s hearing of the Karachi violence case on Monday, Iftikhar Gilani, counsel for the Awami National Party (ANP), said the involvement of “Indian agents” in target killings in the city cannot be ruled out.

Gilani made this statement in court, to the special five-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry .

Gilani told the chief justice that certain target killers have been trained in Indian camps and provided sub-machine guns and rocket launchers.

He also added that the Joint Investigation Team’s (JIT) report on target killings in the city “cannot be challenged”, as it has been prepared by seven agencies and is credible. He said the report identifies which political party is involved in the violence.

Gilani said he obtained the JIT report after former Sindh Senior Minister Zulfiqar Mirza’s press conference where he was critical of Interior Minister Rehman Malik and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). He added that he appreciates Mirza’s efforts to shed light upon the report.

Gang wars or girlfriends?

ANP’s counsel Iftikhar Gilani said the violence in Karachi is not the result of gang wars. He supported his argument by adding that innocent people and not “gangsters” are the victims of violence.

Gilani also requested that court summon Interior Minister Rehman Malik regarding a “disturbing” statement he made about the recent rise of violence in the city.

Malik earlier said that 70% of target killings in Karachi were courtesy wives and girlfriends looking to get rid of their partners and vice versa.

Gilani said the court should call in former Sindh Senior Minister Mirza and investigate the allegations he has made against Malik.

The court, however, did not give any indication that it would fulfill his request.

The Supreme Court’s larger bench resumed the hearing of the suo motu case on Karachi violence on Monday in a bid to improve law and order in the metropolis which has witnessed the worst incidents of target killing.

The court had earlier directed Sindh police chief, Wajid Ali Durrani to submit a report on the FIRs registered during the past month after Eid holidays. Awan had contended that he wished to celebrate Eid with his family.

Looks like the majority of the 300,000 gun licenses that Mr.Mirza issued went to Indian agents. They have also been involved in land-grabbing and ‘bhatta’ collection.
So this is what the SC’s suo moto action will result in ! Pathetic!!

Apex court’s hearing in karachi might bring a temporary break in the violence and bloodshed.
Inorder to achieve lasting peace ,the entire democratic system of Pakistan has to be thrown into the dustbin .We have not seen any good come out of this system so far .This system has only begotten the most corrupt .inept ,despotic ,dishonest and evil peopel who are fearless of Allah.Their only aim is to steal the wealth of the people and hide it in other countries.This system of one man one vote has enslaved us to a few families,who consider it their birth right to rule and exploit us .We have to wake up as a nation before the damage inflicted by these scavengers is irreparable.

He also added that the Joint Investigation Team’s (JIT) report on target killings in the city “cannot be challenged”, as it has been prepared by seven agencies and is credible.

credible ? Only one party is culprit :how funny

Gilani said he obtained the JIT report after former Sindh Senior Minister Zulfiqar Mirza’s press conference where he was critical of Interior Minister Rehman Malik and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM)

Please summon Mr Zulfiqar Mirza and Mr Rehman Malik and let them bring evidence. For sure the killings in Karachi are extreme break down of law and order and needs to be properly investigated as these killings keep on happening. Also please hear MQM…they have their point of view
Killings are gross violation of human rights.Killings have to STOP!

SC action belated….why suo moto notice not taken in July 2011 – the worst month of the year when alone more than 300 peeople were killed….?? SC & CJ are also accomplice in this crime as much as the govt & the main 3 political parties…..All of these people will be answerable to Allah swt for their late response….they cannot absolve themselves of this crime on humanity on the day of judgement…are these people – the govt , the CJ & the political parties not aware of the financial implications which has put further pressure on the already reeling economic woes due to continued Karachi mayhem…apart from the loss of valuable human lives…??Recommend

I think its lame to blame on Indians or Americans, first we have to correct ourself. It is impossible do some activities without Pakistani`s permission. Some Officials are definitely involved. Now get their necks Ch Iftikhar :S Arent you looking for justice now? Huh! Everyone is working for her own benefits.

RAW has no takers in India, however this organisation is surviving due to tall statements made by top political leaders of Pakistan who always smell conspiracy angle in most of the un-toward incidents happening in this country, otherwise it would have been disbanded long time back.

How is it that Pakistan is always supposedly more aware of terrorist activities in other countries than those countries themselves yet always claim complete ignorance of such things inside Pakistan itself?

Arifq, Blaming India is the last thing one would expect from ANP, however, given the confessions of the target killers themselves (link provided in my earlier post above), that they had received training in India, one can’t help but to take that into consideration. Arguing otherwise would be dishonesty. Every aspect of the violence should be looked into during the trial. Let’s hope the case ends up with a verdict which takes care of every guilty party involved.

CJ has three rules:
1. Guard his vested interests.
2. Incriminate his opponents as long as Rule 1 is not violated.
3. Go for free publicity, but not at the cost of Rules 1 and 2.

That’s why the SC never took on cases related to armed forces, and MQM. No suo motto against Karachi killings for three years, while blatantly interfering with the administrative matters such as postings and transfers. This time around, it will again bail out MQM/agencies, and only Rehman Malik will be made the fall guy.Recommend

I love the part in which India is mentioned with the destruction of Pakistan. India has out beaten USA. It has sent its agents in Pak without any visa and yet the Army, ISI and the local police cannot locate them. Wonderful INDIA.